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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

K B.- MGGUSKER. HAT WIRE MACHINE.

No. 404,647. PatentedJuneA, 1889.

(No Modeh) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3. B. MoGU-SKER. HAT WIRE MAGHINB.

No. 404,647. Patentedmne 4, 1889.

Uli lilil W/f 55555 y 4 v5 727/' 5 sheetssheet 4. A

um mm Cm GT. Mw BM (No Model.)

Patented-June 4 1889. y

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

B. MGGUSKER. HAT WIRE MAGHINE.

Patented June 4, 1889'.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BERNARD MccUsKER, OE RRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, AssIeNOR OE ONE- HALE To GEORGE J. BROWN, OE sAME PLACE.

HAT-wl RE MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 404,647, dated June 4, 1889. Application filed September 14,18-88. Serial No. 285,370. (No model.)

My invent-ion has for its Object to provide' simple and easily-adj usted automatic mech-v anisln for bending and forming wire, a cutter I being provided to sever each completed wire as the last operation is completed. This machine is adapted for various uses, and may be adjusted to produce wires of any desired shape or size. zo In the drawings I have illustrated a machine embodying the principles of my invention, and especially designed for the production of wires for hat-brims, this special machine being sufficient to illustrate the principles of my invention. I have therefore combined in a single machine the mechanisms re-l quired to produce hat-wires ready for use as soon as the ends have been joined by the ordinary clasps, or in any suitable manner, and 3o have provided the machine with adjustments whereby it may be caused to produce any desired size of wire. The oval may be made wider or narrower, as required, and a greater or less droop or set may be produced at the front and rear of lthe completed wires. In order to accomplish these results in the simplest manner possible, I have devised t-he novel mechanism, of which the following` description, in connection with the accompany- 4o ing drawings, is a specification, numbers being used to denote the several parts.

Figure l is afront elevation of the machine complete, the legs being broken away; Fig. 2, a rear elevation; Fig. 3, a plan View; Fig. 4, an elevation of the rightend of the machine as seen in Fig. l; 5, an elevation of the left end of the machine; Fig. 6, a section on..

the line x x in Fig. l, looking toward the left; Fig. 7 a section on the saine line looking to- 5o ward the right; Fig. 8, a detail view of the I. cutter, showin g the mann er in which the jaws are operated; Fig. 9, an end view of the rockshaft by which the cutter is operated, the jaws being removed; and Fig. l0 is a longitudinal 55 section of the twisting-sleeve detached.

Similar numbersdenote the same parts in all the figures.

l denotes the bed of the machine, which is supported by suitable legs 2. 6o

3 denotes suitable frame-work for the Operative parts of the machine, the several parts of said frame-work resting upon the bed. Power is applied to the machine by a belt (not shown) running over belt-wheelilon main shaft 5. This shaft is journaled in suitable `boxes 6 upon the frame-'work and carries a pinion 7, which meshes with a gear-wheel 8 on a shaft 9, journaled under the bed, shafts 5 and 9 both lying longitudinally of the qma- 7o chine. In addition to gear-wheel 8 shaft 9 carries'a cam l() under the bed, a cam 1l at its right end, a gear 12 at the left endoutside of gear 8, and a pinion 13 under the bed. The operation of all of these parts will presently be described in detail.

14 and 15 denote, respectively, the upper and lower feed-rollers, each of which is ordinarily provided with a groove to receive Vthe wire. In practice I preferably use a flattened 8o or polygonal wire, the grooves in the feedrollers being made to correspond substantially with the shape of the wire in cross-section. The upper feed-roller is carried by a short shaft I6, journaled in a yoke I7, the shank 18 85 of which extends backward and is securedin the frame-work by a pivot Or pin I9.

20 is a set-screw in the frame-work, the end of which bears vagainst shank 18 to limit its upward movement, this set-screw being the 9o adjustment to determine the pressure of the feed-rollers upon the wire. A check-nut 2l retains the set-screw in position after adjustment.

22`is a pinion on shaft 16,'Which meshes 95 with a pinion 23 on a shaft 24, which carries the lower feed-roller. This shaft extends longitudinally of the machine and is suitably j ournaled in the frame-work at opposite ends thereof, as is clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5.v roo Motion is imparted to the feed-rollers by means of a pinion 25 at the opposite or left end of shaft 24, which meshes with an intermediate gear 26, carried by a swinging arm 27, the opposite end of which is pivoted on shaft 24:. The swinging arm is provided with a curved slot 2S, and is locked in position by a screwpin 2f), passing through said slot and engaging the frame-work. The intermediate gear engages gear 12 on shaft 9 and receives motion therefrom. Gear 12 is made wholly independent of gear S, and maybe readily removed from the shaft and a larger or smaller one substituted. In practice a completed hat wire is formed during each revolution of the main shaft. If longer wires are required, it is therefore necessaryto make the feed-rollers feed faster; if shorter wires are required, to make them feed slower, which is accomplished by substitut-ing a larger gear 12 for longer wires and a smaller gear 12 for shorter wires, screw-pin 29 being loosened to permit arm 27 to swing out of the way. Vhen the new gear 12 has been affixed to the shaft, the intermediatc gear is placedin engagement therewith and locked in position by tightening up the screw-pin. As already stated, the machine illustrated in the drawings is especially designed for the production of hat-wires.

It will of course be understood by those familiar with the manufacture of hats that ditlerent styles of hats require the oval of the wires to be rounder or narrower, as may be, in the horizontal plate, and, furthermore, that what is called set is required at the front and rear of the hat-brim-that is to say, the sides of the brim are highest and both ends droop downward, the amount of set in the brims varying greatly in different styles of hats and in different seasons. The desired set is 'produced in the completed wires by imparting more or less twist to each half of the wires in the process of formation, an`d the shape of the wires in the horizontal plane is determined by an adjustable device, which I term a shaping device, placed directly in front of the feed-rollers.

I will first describe the twistingmechanismf 30 denotes the twisting-sleeve, which is journaled in the frame-work and provided at its outer end with a pinion 31. This sleeve may be secured in the frame-work in any suitable manner. I preferably provide t-he sleeve with a semicircular groove 32, a pin 33 engaging a hole in the frame-work, and said semicircular groove holds the sleeve firmly in position and at the same time permits free rotation thereof. Within the sleeve is a suitable holding device, by which the wire is held firmly. In the present instance I have shown rollers, and designate them by 34. Stationary contact-points may be used, if preferred. Oscillation is imparted to the twisting-sleeve by means of a segment-gear 35, which meshes with pinion 3l. The segment-gear is journaled upon a screw-stud orA pin Si), and provided with a slot 37.

3S is a lever pivoted to a bracket Si) upon the bed. At the upper end of this lever is a a slot, e0.

41 is a link the opposite ends of which engage screw-studs l2 in slots 37 and 40. Nuts 43 lock the studs in position after adjustment.

It will be seen that as both ends of the link are made adj nstableit is easy to make very slight or very considerable changes in the oscillation of the segment-gear. The lower end of lever 38 is provided with a pin preferably carrying a roller, which engages slot ist in cam 10. Shaft 9 is timed to make two complete revolutions during each revolution of the main shaft, thus causing the segment-gear to oscillate twice-that is, to make two forward and two backward movements d u ring the formation of each wire.

It will of course be understood that the shaping and cutting mechanisms, which I shall presently describe in detail, may be so timed relatively to the twisting mechanism as to make the ends of the completed hat-wires join either at the side cr end of the wire. I contemplate joining the ends of the wire by clasps in the ordinary manner. As my' present invention, however, relates only to the machine for forming the wire, I have not deemed it necessary to illustrate either wire or clasp.

The operation of the twisting mechanism is briey as follows: The feed-rollers act continuously, drawing the wire through the twisting-sleeve, the amount of twist imparted to the wire depending of course upon the amount of oscillation of the sleeve. The feedrollers, of course, grip the wire with sufficient firmness to feed forward a certain quantity during each revolution of the main shaft. The holding device in the twisting-sleeve, however, merely prevents the wire from turning in the sleeve, compelling it to turn with the sleeve,\but at the same time allowing it to be fed forward freely. It will be apparent that the actual twist imparted to the wire is given between the feed-rollers and the holding device. During the forward movement of the twisting-sleeve, the wire being held firmly at two points as it is drawn forward,it is apparent that the wire must be twisted. This movement occupies but approximately one-quarter of the revolution of the main shaft. During the second quarter of the revolution of the main shaft the twisting-sleeve will be making a backward movement. As the wire is held from turning by the feed-rollers and by the holding device in the twistin g-sleeve, the coil being placed in any convenient position, (not shown in the drawings,) it follows that during this backward movement of the twisting-sleeve the twist given to the wire by the forward movement will be partially taken out from that portion of the wire which has not passed the feedrollers, the amount of twist remaining in the wire after passing the feed-rollers depending IIO "second half of the hat-wire.

of course upon the amount of twist imparted by the forward movement of the sleeve. An instant later-that is, during the third quarter of the revolution of the main shaft-the twisting-sleeve turns forward again, and then backward during the last quarter, thus repeat ing the operation .just described upon the The wire as it leaves the feed-rollers, and after being acted on by the shaping mechanism which I shall presently describe, will curl first in one direction and then in the other, as the result of the twist which has been imparted to it, this being the set of the completed wire. Should it be desired to give a greater amount of set at the front and rear of the brim, this result may be readily accomplished by giving a greater movement-to the'segment-gear, thereby imparting a greater oscillation to the twisting-sleeve. Should less set be required, less oscillation is imparted to the twisting-sleeve. The necessary adjustments are readily effected by raising or lowering either or bothl ends of link 41. Slight adjustmentv of the oscillation of the segment-gear may occasionally berequired in changing from one coil of wire to another, it being of course well known that two coils of wire very rarely possess eX- actly the same degree of temper.

The shaping mechanism consists of a roller 45, preferably having a groove corresponding with the grooves in the feed-rollers and carried by a lever 46, pivoted to the frame-work.

This lever is caused to vibrate, so as to give roller 45 'more orless movement in an arc of a circle by the engagement with its inner end of another lever 47, whichin turn is vibrated by the engagement of its opposite end with cani l1 upon shaft 9. 1

In order that I may secure a very tine adj ustment of the shaping-roller, or, if required, agreat variation lin itsadjustmen'l have provided' both ends of lever 47 and the end of lever 46, which is engaged by said lever, with movable contact portions 48, which are made adjustable lby set-screws' 49. These contact portions may or may not be provided with anti-friction rollers. It will readily be seen that by means of these three adjustable Contact portions I am enabled to secure any possible adjustment of the throw of the shaping-roller that may be required. The movements of the shaping mechanism and lthe twisting mechanism are ofcourse timed tol correspond with each other, the shaping-roller makingtwo oscillations-'that is, two upward and two downward movements-during the formation of each hat-wire. As the Wire passes through the feed-rollers'it comes in contact with the shaping-roller and passes upward over it. Each'upward movement of the shaping-roller causes the short curve in the'wire that belongs at either the front oi11 rear of the hat-Wire. During 4the downward movement of the shaping-roller. the wire isk curved slightly, but much less than during the upward movement. The second upward move- 'ment forms'the bend at the other end of the hat-brim. Shouldthe shape of the wire in the horizontal plane require to be narrowthat is, what is termed a atoval-a greater amount of oscillation is imparted to the shaping-roller by adjustment of Contact portions 48 by means of set-screws 49. Should the shape of oval required be more nearly round, the yoscillation of the shaping-roller is decreased in the same manner-that is, by adjustment of the contact portions of the lcvers-which Ywill be clearly understood from Fig. 4.

After the formation of each hat-wire `it is severed from the piece by an automatic cutter, the operation of which I will now describe.

50 denotes a tube inclosing a rock-shaft 51. The stationary cutter 52 is made integral with or rigidly secured to the forward end of the tube. The movable cutter 53|is pivoted at the forward end of the tube and is provided with a rearwardly-extending lug 54, which is engaged by a cam 55 on the end of the rockshaft. It will be noticed that thiscam is a curved incline Which'engages the under side of the lug.' NVhen' the rock-shaft is turned forward, the cam is forced to ride up the ineline, which forces the movable jaw downward past the stationary jaw, thereby severing the wire, the action being that of apair of shears. The rear end of thetube is secured within a housing. 56 upon the frame- IOO work by a universal joint of any suitable conl struction. I have shown'an outer sleeve 57,- which is rigidly secured within vthe housing by set-screws 58. Within sleeve 57 isa sleeve 59, `which is secured thereto by set-screws 60 in such a manner as to leave it free to oscillate in the vertical plane. The rear end of tube 5,0`is secured within sleeve 59 bymeans of set-screws 61, which permit it to oscillate in the horizontal plane. Any other simple form of universal joint may be used, if preferred. At the rear end of the rock-shaft back of the sleeves is an arm or lug 62, which is engaged by a lever 63, pivoted to the framework.v The lower end of this lever is engaged bya cam 64 on a disk 65, journaled on a stud 66, projecting inward vfrom one of the legs. A gear 67 is made integral with or secured to cam 64, andmeshes with pinion 13 on shaft 9, gear 67 and cam 64 being timed to make one revolution for each two revolutions of shaft 9, thus making thek timing of cam 64 the same as the main shaft, so that each `wire is 'severed as soon as formed. In order to insure the most delicate adjustment of the cutting mechanism, I provide each end of lever 63 with contact portions 68, which are adjusted by'set-screws 69, as is clearlyshown in Figs and 6. 'The forward end of the tube lies in a bracket, 70, projecting outward from the frame-work. y

It will of course be apparent that when the rio IIS

for in-L stance, the bracket itself, as shown in thei drawings. The operation of the cutting mech-` anism will be clearly understood from the drawings. (See Fig. 6, in connection with Figs. 8 and 9.) Lever 63 is so pivoted and the parts are so adjusted relatively to eachy other that after severing a wire the movablel jaw is thrown to and retained at its open position by gravity alone, the lower end of lever G3 being always in contact with the periphery,

of disk 65. At the completion of each revolution of said disk cam 64 engages the lower end of the lever and swings it outward, causing the upper end thereof to engage arm or lug G2 at the rear end of the rock-shaft, which oscillates the latter and closes the movable jaw through the engagement of cam 55 with lugs 54 at the rear end of the movable cutter.

The operation of the entire machine is briefly as follows: I have not shown the coil of wire, as it may be suspended in any convenient position and in any suitable manner. The feed-rollers act continuously and draw the wire forward through the twisting-sleeve, which oscillates twice during the formation of each hatfwire. At the rear end of the twisting-sleeve is a holding device,which prevents the wire from turning independently of the sleeve but allows it to pass forward freely. The first movement of the twisting-sleeve acts to twist the wire between the holding device therein and the feed-rollers. As the wire is heilig constantly drawn forward by the feedrollers, part of the twisted portion of the wire is not untwisted by the backward movement of the sleeve. This twist causes the wire to curl in one direction or the other -after leaving the feed-rollers. These movements are repeated twice during the formation of each hat-wire and give the set or droop at the front an d rear of the wire. The shape of the wire in the horizontal plane is determined by a shaping device, which is caused to swing in an arc of a circle just forwardpof the feedrollers, said device moving upward and downward twice during the formation of each wire, which gives the short curves at the front and rear of the hat-wires and the longer curves at the sides thereof. At the completion of the formation of each hat-wire it is severed from the piece by an automatic cutter without any stoppage of the operation of the machine.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the feed rollers, of the twisting-sleeve 30, provided with a holding to any@ device and with a pinion 31, the segmentgearengaging said pinion, the lever 38, the cam for operating said lever, and the link 4l, connecting said lever with said segmentgear.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the feed rollers, of the twisting-sleeve 30, provided with a holding device and with a pinion 31, the segmentgear engaging said pinion and provided with the slot 37, the link 4l, adjustably attached at its forward end to said segment-gear at said slot, the lever 3S, to which the rear end of said lever is connected, andthe cam for operating said lever.

3. In a machineof the class described, the combination, with the feed-rollers, of the twisting-sleeve 30, provided with a holding device and with a pinion 31, the segmentgear engaging said pinion and provided with slot 37, the lever 88, provided with slot 40, the cam for operating said lever, the link 41, and screwstuds 42 for adjustably attaching said link to said lever and4 segment-gear.

4. The combination, with the feed-rollers and the shaping-roller, of a lever 46, whereby said roller is carried, a lever 47, engaging lcver 4G, a rotating cam engaged by lever 47, and adjustable contact portions on said lcvers, whereby the movement of the shapingroller may be varied to give any desired shape to the hat-wires.

5. The combination, with the feed-rollers, of p a tube provided with a longitiulinally-extending stationary cutter, a movable cutter pivoted to said tube and having a lug 54, and. a rock-shaft within said tube and provided at its end with a cam engaging said lug to operate said movable cutter.

G. The combination,with the feed-rollers, of a tube provided at the end with a stationary cutter extending lengthwise thereof, a movable cutter pivot-ed to said tube and provided with a lug 54,`a rock-shaft within said tube and having at one end a cam to engage said arm to operate said cutter and provided at its opposite end with an arm, and a rotating disk having a cam to engage said arm to operate said rock-shaft.

7. The combination, with the feed-rollers, the tube carrying a stationary cutter and a movable cutter pivoted within the tube and having a lug 54,0f a rock-shaft within the tube having a cam engaging said lug, a universal joint connecting the tube with the framework, a bracket to support the forward end of the tube, and a spring whereby it is retracted to position.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with the feed-rollers,of an oscillating twisting sleeve provided with a holding device and through which the wire passes to said rollers, a shaping-roller adjacent to said feed-rollers, a vibrating lever to carry said shaping-roller in the are of a cir- IOO IIO

ele, and a cutting deviee to sever the Wire at In testimony whereofIafX my si gnaturein predetermined times, and consisting of a tube presence of two Witnesses.

provided at one end with ai longitudinallyv v extending stationaryeutter, :i movable cutter vBERNARD MCCUSKER. pivoted to said tube and having' t lug' 54, and

L rook-shaft Within suid'tube and having at Witnesses:

one end L @am engaging said lug to operate' A. M. VOOSTER,

said movable cutter. i WV. S. HALSEY. 

